Editor Reviews

Little Nightmares feels like waking up inside a forgotten nightmare you didn’t know you had. You play as Six, a small girl in a yellow raincoat, dropped into a place that doesn’t care if she survives. This place is The Maw—a giant ship filled with oversized rooms, hulking creatures, and an air that always feels a little too still.

The game doesn’t talk to you. There’s no narrator or obvious hints. But every corner you turn tells a story anyway. A pile of shoes too large for a child. A table set for beings twice your height. You’re meant to feel small, and you do.

What really sets this game apart is the quiet. There’s no music guiding your emotions. You’ll hear a dripping pipe, the distant shuffle of something heavy, or just your own soft footsteps echoing through a hall. It’s not about shock—it’s about dread. It builds slowly, like something’s watching but never showing.

The creatures you meet aren’t fast. They don’t need to be. They feel like they’ve always been there—blind janitors who grope along the floor, chefs whose breathing makes you freeze before you even see them. You’re not fighting them. You’re just trying to get past without being seen.

And the world? It’s the puzzle. The doors are too high. Cabinets become ladders. You pull drawers out like steps. The environment itself forces you to think like a child in a world that isn't made for you.

Nothing is explained outright. That’s part of the charm. You don’t just want to get out. You want to understand what this place is and why it feels like it’s feeding off fear. But even when you finish, the answers stay out of reach. That mystery stays with you longer than the game does.

How to Play?

Step 1: Start the game. Six wakes up in a dark room. Use the movement keys (WASD on PC or joystick on console) to get your bearings.

Step 2: Learn the controls. You can walk, crouch, jump, and grab. Grabbing is especially important—it’s how you pull levers, move crates, open doors, and cling to ledges.

Step 3: Use your lighter. Press the assigned button to light it. This helps reveal dark paths, hidden corners, and small lanterns. Lighting a lantern usually creates a save point.

Step 4: Avoid enemies. Stealth matters more than speed. Hide under beds, inside cabinets, or behind objects. Watch their patterns before you move. If they spot you, run.

Step 5: Watch your surroundings. Most puzzles aren’t spelled out. You’ll need to climb shelves, swing from cords, or stack boxes to reach high places. If you feel stuck, look at the space like a curious kid would.

Step 6: Move slowly in danger zones. Some enemies rely on sound. Crouch to stay quiet and stay in the shadows when you can. Timing is more helpful than rushing.

Step 7: Explore off the main path. Hidden statues and little creatures called Nomes are scattered throughout the world. Finding them gives you a bit more lore—and a reason to look in every corner.

Step 8: Don’t worry about saving. The game auto-saves often. If you fail, you’ll usually restart close to where you left off.